Elizabeth Abbott, a teacher in Falmouth Public Schools, opened this business in the summer of 2023. The idea for the business was born when family friends who have a daughter with severe milk allergies came to visit. When the families went out for cool treats at the end of a long beach day, Leah couldn't even go to the favorite ice cream spots out of fear of cross-contamination. Then, during the pandemic, when Elizabeth's position was in jeopardy, she began to research alternatives to teaching. She came across the story of a family selling shave ice in California. Immediately, she started researching and planning this new business venture: 

Makai(meaning toward the sea)Hawaiian Shave Ice was born.

Giving back is part of the mission of spreading kindness. Makai is proud to say that in our first season, we gave back in many ways. We worked at the Kick Cancer in the Cornhole Tournament and gave 20% of our earnings to the fundraiser; we donated a shave ice party to the Helping Hands Summer Camp(a free camp for kids at St. Barnabas Church); we donated a shave ice party for up to ten people to the Cheryl Boli Scholarship Fund Raffle; and we donated a gift certificate to the Souzapalooza Fundraising Event to help a local family dealing with cancer. Finally, after the devastating wildfires in Maui, we donated part of our sales each day to the Hawai’i Community Foundation, totalling $280! Overall, we have donated over $500 in our first season.